Dear Doctor: I drive a 2005 <a href="/topics//Lincoln_Town_Car">Lincoln Town Car</a> equipped with the 4.6-liter engine. It has only 58,800 miles and I'm getting terrible gas mileage of 11 miles per gallon when I used to get nearly 18 mpg. I had a mechanic do the following: change the spark plugs, air <a href="/topics//Filter_(musician)">filter</a>, PCV valve, had the fuel injectors cleaned, and had the front 2 oxygen sensors in front catalytic converter replaced. I use synthetic blend oil every three months and I even add a <a href="/topics//Chevron_Corporation">Chevron</a> gas additive, but nothing helps. What's next? -- Frank 
 Dear Frank: I recommend that you have the technician make sure the engine thermostat is allowing the engine to get up to operating temperature. You can also have the technician observe the front upstream oxygen sensors to make sure they are operating as designed. One factor related to reduced gas mileage (particularly in the Northeast), is the gas formula is changed for the winter months to make for easier starts in the cold weather. This formula does lessen gas mileage by 1 mile per gallon. 
 Dear Doctor: I have a 2005 <a href="/topics//Ford_Explorer">Ford Explorer</a> Eddie Bauer with the 4.0-liter V-6. I recently installed new BF Goodrich Rugged Terrain T/A tires (stock size: 245 65R17). I also installed a Magnaflow cat back exhaust, a K&amp;N air <a href="/topics//Filter_(musician)">filter</a>, E3 spark plugs and new plug wires, and new gas filter. I change my oil every 3,000 miles with Valvoline full-synthetic 5w30 oil. After all of this work my average fuel mileage went from bad to worse. I went from 15.8 mpg to 12.2 mpg. What should I do? -- Mike 
 Dear Mike: A mistake many SUV owners make is putting on aggressive tires, such as any all-terrain A/T style tire. The rolling resistance is higher than that of a highway H/T design tire. The larger, wider, and heavy the tire, the more resistance the tire has. And this will reduce gas mileage. The addition of the free flowing exhaust and fresh air intake should improve gas mileage, not lessen it. I would check the odometer in a measured mile for being accurate. Next, fill the tank up, drive 150 miles and refill it at the same pump and divide the miles driven into the gallons used for an accurate mileage reading. 
 Dear Doctor: I own a 2005 <a href="/topics//Saturn_Corporation">Saturn</a> Ion with 50,000 miles. The battery and starter work fine, but occasionally the car won't start in the morning. When I turn the key there's no sound -- no clicking or engine turning over. What is the problem? -- Richard 
 Dear Richard: I see a lot of these problems. The best way to check the car is to have your technician connect a 194 test light and socket to the S terminal at the starter motor. He can run the wire up to the windshield and tape it to the bottom of the windshield. When the engine does not start, if the light illuminates when the key is in the start position, then the problem is very likely a faulty starter motor. If there is no light when the key is turned to the start position, the technician will work his way back to the ignition switch at the steering column and check for voltage with the use of the same test light. 
 Dear Doctor: I have a 2007 <a href="/topics//Ford_Mustang">Ford Mustang</a> GT with a five-speed manual and only 35,000 miles on it. It is very difficult to shift into second gear when cold. Do you think a fluid change would help? -- Pete 
 Dear Pete: It's not unusual for some manual transmissions to have some resistance shifting into gear when cold only. Unlike the old days when we used 90 weight gear oil in manual transmissions, today's manual transmissions use either automatic transmission fluid or full-synthetic manual transmission fluid. In some cases, yes, a fluid change can help. You can also try shifting into third gear and then back into second gear -- or just skip second gear until the transmission fluid warms up. You may also want to make sure the clutch operation is working as designed and try bleeding the clutch. 
 Dear Doctor: I have a five-speed automatic transmission on my 2004 <a href="/topics//Nissan_Maxima">Nissan Maxima</a> that has about 131,000 miles. I've had my transmission replaced three times. I've also had the computer for the transmission changed three times and other things for the transmission replaced. The problem I keep having is the transmission randomly shifts itself out of gear and back into neutral. What would make an automatic tranny kick itself in and out of drive? -- Kenny 
 Dear Kenny: Your car, like most late model vehicle transmissions, is controlled electronically. The first step is to check for any stored trouble fault codes in memory or pending. A basic check of all power and ground connections needs to be done. The next step is a factory scan tool connected for a road test performance. If there are no codes and the scan tool information is normal, then I'm sorry to say it would be next to impossible to determine the cause of the problem. There is no ongoing pattern of this complaint in any of my database reference sites. -- Junior Damato, Motor Matters 
 Junior Damato is an ASE-certified Master Technician. Email questions to info@motormatters.biz. Mail questions to: Auto Doctor, 3 Court Circle, Lakeville, MA 02347

Dear Doctor: I drive a 2005 Lincoln Town Car equipped with the 4.6-liter engine. It has only 58,800 miles and I'm getting terrible gas mileage of 11 miles per gallon when I used to get nearly 18 mpg. I had a mechanic do the following: change the spark plugs, air filter, PCV valve, had the fuel injectors cleaned, and had the front 2 oxygen sensors in front catalytic converter replaced. I use synthetic blend oil every three months and I even add a Chevron gas additive, but nothing helps. What's next? -- Frank Dear Frank: I recommend that you have the technician make sure the engine thermostat is allowing the engine to get up to operating temperature. You can also have the technician observe the front upstream oxygen sensors to make sure they are operating as designed. One factor related to reduced gas mileage (particularly in the Northeast), is the gas formula is changed for the winter months to make for easier starts in the cold weather. This formula does lessen gas mileage by 1 mile per gallon. Dear Doctor: I have a 2005 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer with the 4.0-liter V-6. I recently installed new BF Goodrich Rugged Terrain T/A tires (stock size: 245 65R17). I also installed a Magnaflow cat back exhaust, a K&N air filter, E3 spark plugs and new plug wires, and new gas filter. I change my oil every 3,000 miles with Valvoline full-synthetic 5w30 oil. After all of this work my average fuel mileage went from bad to worse. I went from 15.8 mpg to 12.2 mpg. What should I do? -- Mike Dear Mike: A mistake many SUV owners make is putting on aggressive tires, such as any all-terrain A/T style tire. The rolling resistance is higher than that of a highway H/T design tire. The larger, wider, and heavy the tire, the more resistance the tire has. And this will reduce gas mileage. The addition of the free flowing exhaust and fresh air intake should improve gas mileage, not lessen it. I would check the odometer in a measured mile for being accurate. Next, fill the tank up, drive 150 miles and refill it at the same pump and divide the miles driven into the gallons used for an accurate mileage reading. Dear Doctor: I own a 2005 Saturn Ion with 50,000 miles. The battery and starter work fine, but occasionally the car won't start in the morning. When I turn the key there's no sound -- no clicking or engine turning over. What is the problem? -- Richard Dear Richard: I see a lot of these problems. The best way to check the car is to have your technician connect a 194 test light and socket to the S terminal at the starter motor. He can run the wire up to the windshield and tape it to the bottom of the windshield. When the engine does not start, if the light illuminates when the key is in the start position, then the problem is very likely a faulty starter motor. If there is no light when the key is turned to the start position, the technician will work his way back to the ignition switch at the steering column and check for voltage with the use of the same test light. Dear Doctor: I have a 2007 Ford Mustang GT with a five-speed manual and only 35,000 miles on it. It is very difficult to shift into second gear when cold. Do you think a fluid change would help? -- Pete Dear Pete: It's not unusual for some manual transmissions to have some resistance shifting into gear when cold only. Unlike the old days when we used 90 weight gear oil in manual transmissions, today's manual transmissions use either automatic transmission fluid or full-synthetic manual transmission fluid. In some cases, yes, a fluid change can help. You can also try shifting into third gear and then back into second gear -- or just skip second gear until the transmission fluid warms up. You may also want to make sure the clutch operation is working as designed and try bleeding the clutch. Dear Doctor: I have a five-speed automatic transmission on my 2004 Nissan Maxima that has about 131,000 miles. I've had my transmission replaced three times. I've also had the computer for the transmission changed three times and other things for the transmission replaced. The problem I keep having is the transmission randomly shifts itself out of gear and back into neutral. What would make an automatic tranny kick itself in and out of drive? -- Kenny Dear Kenny: Your car, like most late model vehicle transmissions, is controlled electronically. The first step is to check for any stored trouble fault codes in memory or pending. A basic check of all power and ground connections needs to be done. The next step is a factory scan tool connected for a road test performance. If there are no codes and the scan tool information is normal, then I'm sorry to say it would be next to impossible to determine the cause of the problem. There is no ongoing pattern of this complaint in any of my database reference sites. -- Junior Damato, Motor Matters Junior Damato is an ASE-certified Master Technician. Email questions to info@motormatters.biz. Mail questions to: Auto Doctor, 3 Court Circle, Lakeville, MA 02347

Classifieds

Cars

carsDOC07

Auto Doctor: Expect gas mileage to drop in the cold

Newsday

2005 Lincoln Town Car -- cropped

Most Popular

Latest Videos

Latest videos

The cost to educate students on Long Island has hit a record high, with districts projected to spend almost $42,000 per student this year. Newsday education reporter Maura McDermott has more.

'It's excessive'

Nearly $1.2 billion in unclaimed funds is available across more than 5 million accounts on Long Island, according to the state comptroller's office. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

$1.2B available across 5 million accounts on LI

Santos Banegas Reyes, a 42-year-old ICE detainee, died in Nassau County Jail last year after staff provided "inadequate medical care," a federal report found. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

'My reaction to the report is outrage'

They likely belong to an elderly woman who went missing in the area in December, Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa has more.

'The body has not been positively identified'

The revitilization to Westbury Avenue in Carle Place will include sidewalk replacement, street repaving and improved pedestrian crossings. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'Long overdue'

Sign up for the Daily Business newsletter

Business Newsletter Widget

Long Island has dealerships in Huntington, Glen Cove, Southampton and Freeport.

Jaguar Land Rover to cut 4,000 jobs globally

Business Article Bottom Module

The health system, which employs over 100,000 statewide, did not specify where cuts were made.

LI hospital system cuts 'limited number' of workers

Starbucks is facing a consumer lawsuit over claims that the protein drinks labeled as "sugar-free" on its cafe menus may actually contain more sugar than a Reese's peanut butter cup.

A lawsuit accuses Starbucks of mislabeling 8 'sugar-free' protein drinks

Artificial intelligence insiders are warning New York City's leaders about dangers of the emerging technology, calling for greater oversight as local governments move to respond to mounting safety concerns.

AI industry insiders voice alarms to NYC council as local governments take up safety concerns

U.S. stocks rose near their records after a couple buyout announcements helped lift the market.

US stocks rise to the edge of an all-time high

The recall covers four Gatorade varieties and more than 122,000 cases nationwide.

Gatorade sold in NY recalled over undeclared dyes

The Chile-based exporter of frozen berries has expanded the recall over E. coli concerns.

Frozen berry recall expands to products sold at Walmart, Trader Joe's

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano visits MJ Social in Island Park to learn how to play mah-jongg.

Mother-daughter team create a place to play mah-jongg

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed heads to Seven Ponds Orchard in Water Mill where you can pick crisp apples, gather garden-fresh veggies, and let the kids burn off some energy at one of the island's largest playgrounds.

Out East: Seven Ponds Orchard

How this Long Island mother-son duo are taking over TikTok

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano visits Das Biergarten in Long Beach.

It's Oktoberfest every day at this Long Beach restaurant

Newsday travel reporter Carissa Kellman takes a tour of the farmhouse at Kerber's Farm, which is one of four properties available to rent for overnight stays on the farm.

Stay the night at this LI farm

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa visits Bisqo in Hicksville to try the Miso Overload, a Dubai-inspired creation which combines a frappe with a slice of tiramisu.

 Trendy Bites: Have your frappe with a slice of tiramisu on top

Ex-NYS court officer Brian Burke accompanied Rex Heuermann to nearly all of his court appearances. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

Former LI court officer talks about Gilgo Beach serial killer's chilling admissions

$4M street revitalization project begins in Carle Place

The Knicks began training camp on Tuesday with the hopes of repeating as NBA champions. Newsday's Knicks beat writer Steve Popper reports.

New season, new journey for Knicks

NewsdayTV's Andi Berlin visits No Good Burger Joint in Baldwin.

Newsday's Top 50 restaurants: A burger joint joins the list

Business Video Playlist

Changes at the Lake Grove property will include new tenants, such as LongHorn Steakhouse and Coach. Newsday business reporter Tory Parrish has more.

New plaza, stores, games, 'park-like' setting coming to Smith Haven Mall

They cook, build, care for seniors and run businesses. What happens when these workers disappear? NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports.

'We can expect negative repercussions'

Affordability concerns on Long Island leave some residents wondering if it's worth staying. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa and Newsday business reporter Brianne Ledda have more.

'Yes, I would leave'

ScieGen Pharmaceuticals wants to build a 60,000-square-foot factory and warehouse in Hauppauge to meet consumer demand. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'Very important for us'

Housing advocates and local officials were set to break ground on Thursday on a building with 52 affordable apartments slated to replace blighted commercial buildings on Port Jefferson's Main Street. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

Port Jefferson entering new phase of revitalization

Bonsai tree-making classes, trivia nights, mocktails and private events are among the ways local venues are trying to draw customers. Newsday business reporter Tory Parrish has more.

'We have a lot of different things going on'

Some East End businesses already house workers priced out of the area. Now East Hampton is weighing rules that could expand the model — and the debate over tying housing to a job. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

'It's something I felt we had to do'

If the deal goes through, Giunta's Meat Farms will also acquire four Wild by Nature natural food stores. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

Giunta's Meat Farms acquiring 24 King Kullen stores

Fake listings, bogus fees and stolen data target renters squeezed by Long Island's high housing costs. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'It's been a nightmare'

The price of childcare can be prohibitive for many Long Island parents. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports along with NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa, Newsday business reporter Victor Ocasio and daycare owner Janna Rodriguez.

'Probably as much as rent or mortgage'

The overall inflation rate for the Long Island area is now 5.1%, up from 3.4% in May 2025. Newsday business reporter James T. Madore has more.

'Long Islanders are feeling the pain'

Cars - megaslot

Read the latest news, reviews, recalls and more for the vehicle makes and models that Long Islanders drive.

Most Popular

Latest Videos

Stay logged in.